Musharraf: emergency in Pakistan’s interest

    ISLAMABAD, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf Wednesday again defended proclamation of emergency and said that the action was taken in the national interest so as to ensure peace and security.

    "It would also facilitate in creating harmony amongst all the three pillars of state," Musharraf said Wednesday when talking with parliamentarians belonging to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q and its allies in Islamabad.

    Giving the background of declaring emergency in Pakistan, Musharraf said that many parts of the government were paralyzed and the security as well as law enforcing agencies demoralized, according to radio Pakistan.

    Musharraf said that the support given to him by the parliamentarians was an endorsement of the political process which had brought about a turn around in all sectors of national life particularly in the economic and political fields.

    He said that decisions in the future would be taken in consultation with all concerned and in the best national interest.

    "The issues which forced imposition of emergency would be addressed and resolved at the earliest to help create conducive conditions for completion of the third phase of transition," he said.

    At the same occasion, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz hoped that the re-election of the president for the next five years in office would strengthen the democratic process.

    Aziz said that PML (Q) and its allies are united together to support Musharraf in his effort to strengthen national solidarity and stability.

    Earlier, the National Assembly (lower house) of Pakistan passed a resolution endorsing proclamation of emergency in the country and issuance of the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO).

    The Pakistan People's Party members boycotted the assembly session. The other opposition members have already resigned the assembly and only the ruling PML (Q) and its allied groups attended the session.

    The resolution was presented in the house by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sher Afgan Khan Niazi.

    The house noted that proclamation of emergency and issuance of the PCO had been necessitated in view of terrorist acts in the country, disharmony among pillars of the state especially hindrance created by the judiciary and security situation in some parts of the country.

    The house passed another resolution congratulating Musharraf on his re-election.

    The resolution moved by the minister for parliamentary affairs noted that the country was on the path of progress and prosperity under the dynamic leadership of Musharraf.

    It said that the parliament and the provincial assemblies re-elected Musharraf as president with a big majority which is a shining example in Pakistan's history.